Obidient Movement Faults Court ruling Deregistering Parties

The Obidient Movement has strongly criticized a recent Federal High Court ruling ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, warning that the decision poses a significant threat to political inclusion and democratic participation in Nigeria.

The reaction follows a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court directed INEC to delist the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The decision was based on the parties’ alleged failure to meet the constitutional performance benchmarks stipulated under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2022.

The legal action leading to the judgment was initiated by the National Forum of Former Legislators. The group had approached the court to clarify whether INEC is legally obligated to deregister political platforms that fail to secure required electoral milestones, such as winning at least 25 percent of the votes in any state during a presidential election or clinching at least one elective seat.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the Obidient Movement expressed deep concern over the broader implications of thinning out the political landscape. The group, which aligns with the political philosophy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, argued that reducing available political platforms restricts citizens’ choices and stifles democratic growth.

“A vibrant democracy thrives on inclusiveness, political participation, and the availability of diverse platforms through which citizens can freely express their aspirations and choices,” the statement read.

The movement further emphasized that the future of the nation’s democracy relies on fairness, strong institutions, and robust civic engagement rather than placing restrictions on political actors.

While reaffirming its commitment to voter mobilization and accountability, the group urged Nigerians to remain politically active and focus on securing their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of future elections, describing the vote as a crucial tool for driving systemic change.